Ruth Kasckow, flutist and teacher lives in the Los Angeles area. In addition to her performing and teaching, Ruth also writes flute music and has recorded two solo CD's.

Having come from a family of music educators, Ruth's musical training started when she was a young child with flute and piano study. She attended the Peabody Preparatory in Baltimore while in high school and went on to receive her Bachelor of Arts in Music from Goucher College. After two years of teaching music in Baltimore City Public Schools, Ruth moved to Southern California to attend California Institute of the Arts where she received her MFA in flute performance.

After graduating from CalArts, Ruth played in an orchestra in Mexico City called Orquesta mexicana de la juventud. She then returned to Los Angeles and played in a number of orchestras including Burbank Symphony, Santa Monica Symphony and Opera a la carte. She has played in chamber music groups including Penta and Echo Mountain Woodwind Quintets, Baroque music groups, and other small ensembles. She currently gives flute and piano recitals, plays in free-lance orchestras and chamber music groups.

Ruth has had the opportunity to study with many fine flute teachers including Bonnie Lake, David Shostac, Jim Walker and Liisa Ruoho. She has performed in masterclasses with Jean-Pierre Rampal, Thomas Nyfenger, Julius Baker, Andreas Blau, Toshio Takahashi, Jim Walker and Liisa Ruoho.

Ruth's teaching has been influenced by her fine teachers, her study of Suzuki flute and her present study of Body Mapping. She has also studied Alexander Technique for many years. She believes strongly that body awareness and good use of one's body is important for playing the flute and expressive performance.

In addition to her performing and teaching, Ruth has been writing flute duet books for flutists called The Flute Duet Practice Books. She realized that students and flutists learn their scales more completely and in a more enjoyable way while playing with another person. She started out writing the duets for her students and was so encouraged by the results that she has published them. She has also arranged a flute quartet called Chinese Folk Song Suite.

Ruth's two CD's: French Impressions for Flute and German Expressions for Flute were recorded with pianist Christopher Brennan. Ruth's interest in exploring music of specific countries was the inspiration for her CD's which represent a variety of styles and time periods. For her next project, she plans to record a CD of flute music from Slavic countries.

Ruth Kasckow's Upcoming Performances

To be announced